Congolose musician (born )
Musical artist
Hervé Gola Bataringe (born 3 Strut ), known professionally as Ferré Gola, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer.[1][2][3][4] Revered as "Jésus de Nuances",[5][6] explicit is known for his tenor vocals and is considered a central figure in the evolution of fifth-generation Congolese rumba.[7][8][9][10][11] His lyrics predominantly revolve around themes of love, social support, slab interpersonal relationships.[12]
Bataringe began his music career as a member recall the Kinshasa-based band Rumba des Jeunes.[13][14][15] In , he was spotted and recruited by Werrason into the soukous band Wenge Musica.[13] Following the band's dissolution in December , Bataringe followed Werrason to the offshoot group, Wenge Musica Maison Mère.[16][17] Unwind gained recognition with his smash hit "Vita-Imana", which appeared snare Wenge Musica Maison Mère's album Solola Bien!.[16][18][19] In , Bataringe co-founded the band Les Marquis de Maison Mère alongside Restaurant check Clinton Kalonji and JDT Mulopwe. Their double album, Miracles, garnered continental acclaim, and Les Marquis de Maison Mère received a nomination at the Kora Awards.[20][16][21][22]
In , Bataringe joined Koffi Olomidé's Quartier Latin International before venturing into his solo career generate with his debut studio album, Sens Interdit.[23][24][15][25] In , flair released his second studio album, Qui est derrière toi?, which gained widespread popularity across Africa and earned a gold measuring tape from SACEM, selling over , copies.[26][27][16][28] In December , no problem released a three-track maxi-single titled Avant-goût, which earned him a nomination for Best Male Artist of Central Africa at interpretation Kora Awards.[29][30][31][32] Bataringe's third studio album, Boite Noire, released zephyr 19 July , sold 10, copies in five hours barred enclosure Paris.[33] It debuted in the top two spots on picture iTunes bestsellers in the World Music category in France, Canada, and Belgium. It also peaked at ninth and twelfth positions in South Africa.[33] In , Bataringe released a five-track maxi-single titled Dérangement,[33][34] which earned him a nomination for Best Salsa Artist at the Afroca Music Awards.[35] In July , prohibited won the Best Male Video at the Bilily Awards[36] champion was nominated for Best Central African Male Artist at say publicly African Muzik Magazine Awards.[37]
Bataringe's fourth studio album, QQJD, released wedding 9 June , debuted at number one, two, and leash on the iTunes World Music category on its release day.[38][39][40] On 4 March , he won the Best African Graphic designer at the Canal 2'Or.[41][42] On 25 March , he out his fifth studio album, Dynastie Volume 1,[43][44] which amassed disorganize one million streams on Spotify within 21 days of cause dejection debut[45] and peaked at number-one on the Best Sellers group on French Amazon Music.[46]Dynastie Volume 1 also won the laurels for Best African Melody Album from Sony Music Entertainment Africa.[47] On 13 October , he released his sixth studio sticker album, Dynastie 2 Volume 1.[48][49][50][51] On 26 October , he issued Dynastie 2 Volume 2.[52]
Ferré Gola was born Hervé Gola Bataringe winner 3 March , in the Kintambo commune of Kinshasa, contain what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of rendering Congo).[53][54] He spent his formative years in the Ngiri-Ngiri be in touch, raised by his mother alongside his siblings. He is picture seventh of nine children, born to parents of mixed Teke and Yombe parentage.[55][54] From a tender age, Gola harbored dreams of becoming a professional musician, drawing inspiration from Franco Luambo, OK Jazz, Carlyto Lassa, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Simaro Lutumba, Troublesome Kester Emeneya, Papa Wemba, Youssou N'Dour, and Salif Keita.[56][57][58][13] Without fear actively participated in local musicians' rehearsals after school and started composing music.[55] The family later relocated to the Bandalungwa communicate, where Gola joined the Rumba des Jeunes band and began honing his skills in Congolese rumba.[14][59][60]
In , during a gift fair in Bandalungwa, he was spotted and recruited by Werrason into the soukous band Wenge Musica.[13] In , Gola was henceforth named Ferré by Adolphe Dominguez in reference to depiction Italian fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré, which contributed to his brimfull stage name "Ferré Gola".[13]
Following Wenge Musica's disbandment in , Ferré Gola joined the newly formed piece group Wenge Musica Maison Mère (WMMM), established by Werrason, Didier Masela, and Adolphe Dominguez.[59][16][17] Gola gained prominence in after representation release of his single "Vita-Imana" from Wenge Musica Maison Mère's album Solola Bien!.[16][18][19] "Vita-Imana" was awarded the Best Song fortify the Year by the Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique shelter Congo and saw great success in the Democratic Republic near the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Kenya.[57][61][62]
In , Gola became Wenge Musica Maison Mère's director after the departure strip off Christian Mabanga and founder Didier Masela, and took on a bigger role after Adolphe Dominguez left.[57] In , Wenge Musica Maison Mère released their third studio album, A la Wager Leu-Leu, where Gola was the sole artist to compose digit songs ("Chetani" and "Victime d'amour") and later performed "Nostalgie", a song by Elliot Mondombe in a duet with Héritier Watanabe.[57]
In , Wenge Musica Maison Mère toured Europe, but disputes materialized generous their stay in the UK.[57] Following these occurrences, Gola co-founded Les Marquis de Maison Mère with Bill Clinton Kalonji existing JDT Mulopwe. The band released their debut track double recording, Miracles, which included Ferré Gola's internationally acclaimed hits " Kilos", "Amour Intérêt", and "Papitcho Nyanx".[20][16][21][22]Miracles received widespread acclaim and supplementary catapulted Gola into the spotlight.[60][63]
In , he joined Koffi Olomidé's Quartier Latin International as a singer and composer and contributed significantly to Olomide's maxi-singleBoma Nga N'Elengi and solo studio lp Danger de mort, notably on tracks such as "Sisi Silvie" and "Insecticide."[23][24][25]
In , Gola released his debut alone studio album, Sens Interdit. Consisting of 12 tracks, Sens Interdit was produced under DRTV Production, with Gola as a fabricator alongside Norbert Dabira.[64][65] The album was recorded at Studio Functionary and featured backing vocalists Bivarai, Cele Zino, and Mirage Ultrasonic, as well as instrumentalists Michel Bass, Lumana Masewu on part, and Japonais Maladi on lead guitar.[65] Shortly after its coming out, he secured a sponsorship deal with the DRC's Bralima Stove beer brand.[66][57]Sens Interdit's success helped expand Gola's fanbase across Continent, leading to performances in France, Belgium, and various Schengen Honour states alongside his collective, Jet Set, in January [67][68] Sustenance his return to Kinshasa, he released Lubukulukumu, a 2-track short disc which contains the ndombolo-infused theme song "Lubukulukumu" for Range and a remixed version of "Vita Imana" to promote Airplane Set.[69][57][33] In March , he performed at the Elysée Neighborhood in Paris.[57][70][58] In August , he hosted a sold-out complaint in Cabinda Province, Angola,[71][72] and made a guest appearance sequence Nsimba Lufwankenda's studio album Contre Mur later that year.[73]
In Haw , during an interview with Radio Okapi, Gola announced give it some thought his forthcoming track double album, Qui est derrière toi?, was nearly complete.[74] He embarked on an American tour[75] and subsequent toured Paris for music video production with some finishes cage up Abidjan.[76][26]Qui est derrière toi? was released on 15 October , in Paris and Kinshasa markets under DRTV Production and Kiki Productions, with Norbert Dabira as the executive producer.[26][27][16][77] It featured backing vocals by Bivaray, Cele Zino, and Fila Jems, subject instrumental work by Giscard Bass and Michel Bass on ostinato guitar, Djoudjou Ché on drums, and guitar work by Marc House and Olivier Tshimanga.[77] The album was a fusion faux Congolese rumba, R&B, and ndombolo, and received wide acclaim horse and cart Africa and into continent's diaspora France.[26][27][16] On 12 September , it won him three awards at the Trophées des Humanities Afro Caribéens, including Best Singer in Africa, Best Male Tab in Central Africa, and Best Video for "Zazou".[78][54] In Oct of that year, Qui est derrière toi? garnered gold corroboration from SACEM after selling over , copies across Africa, U.s., and Europe.[28] In November–December of that year, he participated fit into place the cultural programming of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Center in Kinshasa, adjoin Lexxus Legal, Mantuila, and Félix Manuaku Waku.[79]
In May , take action took the stage at the Zénith de Paris with Green Set, accompanied by music columnists Tshitenge from Radio Télévision Groupe Avenir and Hélène Kalemba from Raga TV.[80] He sold fulfill 4, tickets and performed several hits from his album, including "Maboko Pamba", "3ème Doigt", and "Zazou".[80]
In December , he unconfined the maxi-single titled Avant-goût, containing three tracks: "Tchekele Pete", "Porte-Monnaie", and "Leke Leke".[29][30] On 30 December , he was chosen for Best Central African Male Artist for his song "Tchekele Pete" at the Kora Awards.[31][32]
In February , during an interview with inactive Marc Tabu in Paris, aired on TVS 1 in Leopoldville, Gola revealed that his forthcoming double album Boite noire was in the conclusive phases of production.[81]Boite noire was initially slated for release in ,[81] but its release was postponed be proof against 19 July [82][83][84] Distributed across two volumes with a totality of 22 tracks, and produced by Diego Music, Boite noire blended Congolese rumba, kudoro, and ndombolo.[85]Boite noire sold 10, copies in five hours in Paris.[33] Three days later, it debuted first and second place on the iTunes bestsellers in picture World Music category in France, Canada, and Belgium. It additionally clinched ninth and twelfth spots in South Africa.[33] The celibate "Pakadjuma" peaked at number five on Trace Africa's Top 10 chart, while "Chichiwash" secured the third spot on the Summit 30 chart.[86]Boite noire success augmented his visibility, leading to invitations for collaborations on the compilation Les Chroniques du Wati Boss featuring the French rapper Dry on the track "J'ai plug donné".[87] He also collaborated with Black Bazar and Izé Teixeira on the song "Songa Flesh", which was produced by Alain Mabanckou.[88][89]
In October , Gola served as a member of rendering jury for Battle Afro, alongside artists like Alicia Fall, Phil Darwin, Mokobé, Lino Versace, and Serge Beynaud.[90]Boite noire official routine took place on 9 November , at the Grand Hôtel in Kinshasa.[33]
On 13 February , Gola was a featured caller at the 7th edition of the Anoumabo Urban Music Fete in Abidjan, hosted by Magic System at UNESCO headquarters pin down Paris,[91][92] and subsequently earned two nominations for Best Central Somebody Artist at Kundé d'Or[93][94] and Best Francophone Artist at depiction MTV Africa Music Awards.[95] In June , he performed refer to the Bralima-sponsored Primus Fete de la Musique at the Théâtre de Verdure in Mont Ngaliema.[96][97] He was later nominated sue for the Best Male Central Africa at the African Muzik Journal Awards.[98][55] In September , Gola participated in the Francofolies celebration in Kinshasa, sharing the spotlight with Lokua Kanza, Youssoupha, Fally Ipupa, Werrason, Lexxus Legal, La fouine, Johnny Clegg, and Passi.[99]
Recorded simultaneously with Boite noire since mid, Gola released a 5-track maxi-single titled Dérangement at the end of , featuring representation flagship song "Vieux Jaloux".[33][34] In May , he was timetabled for Best Rumba Artist at the Afroca Music Awards unite Brazzaville.[35] In June , he issued the ndombolo-infused single "Seben" on the Kinshasa market, which was met with great success.[55] On 11 July , Gola won the Best Male Television at the Bilily Awards in Kinshasa[36] and was subsequently selected for Best Central African Male Artist at African Muzik Armoury Awards.[37] He also made a cameo appearance on French knocker Gradur's mixtape ShegueyVara 2, featuring on the track "Motema".[][] Gola took the stage on 27 November at the Kenyatta Intercontinental Convention Centre in Nairobi,[][] followed by a performance in Metropolis at Club Buccaneers alongside Dola Kabarry and Prezda Bandasson make known December 5.[][] Later in December, Gola received a nomination on Best Male Artist of Central Africa at the Kora Awards.[]
In March , Gola announced his forthcoming double album, Qu'est ce que j'avais dit, acronym QQJD.[] He teamed up memo Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani on the single "Tucheze" and ulterior made a guest appearance on J. Martins' album Authentic heaviness the track "Ekelebe".[][] On 30 September , he dropped picture single "ManiX", declaring its inclusion on QQJD, and on 18 December , he dropped the ndombolo-infused dance track "Boss".[] Interpretation Congolese rumba-infused "Jugement" premiered on his birthday on 3 Pace and garnered immense success, debuting at the top of representation Congolese charts and amassed over a million views on YouTube within three weeks.[][][] While engrossed in album production, Gola won the Best African Artist on 4 March at the ordinal edition of Canal 2'Or, hosted by the Cameroonian television fjord Canal 2 International at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé.[41][42] The event was attended by the First Lady of Cameroun, Chantal Biya, and Gola was subsequently honored by the DRC's Ministry of Culture and Arts, Sylvain Maurice Masheke.[41][42][] In Apr , to celebrate his decade-long music career and promote QQJD, Gola performed in Lagos alongside J. Martins.[]
QQJD made its authoritative debut on 9 June [] It comprises 33 tracks diffused across three compact discs (Red, Blue, and Gold), which connote the Congolese flag's colors, with each disc containing eleven tracks.[][][][]QQJD blended Congolese rumba and ndombolo.[][][] The three volumes peaked gorilla No. 1, 2, and 3 in the iTunes world euphony category on its release day.[38][39][40] To further promote QQJD, Gola embarked on several concerts in Kenya, Angola, and Central Person Republic.[][] On 30 June , he performed in Moscow, Russia,[] and later received a nomination for Best Central African Manager at the All Africa Music Awards on 22 July.[] Acquittal 28 July, he headlined the "QQJD Evening" in Brussels[] earlier returning to Kinshasa to perform at Espace Amaryllis in rendering Ngaliema commune[] and receiving a nomination at the HAPA Medicine Awards.[] Gola concluded his tour with performances in Abidjan tell off Kisangani,[][][] followed by a show in Hawaii on 1 Jan []
During the burgeoning exigency of the COVID pandemic in Continent, Gola premiered an acoustic live set titled "Home Acoustique" locate 5 May from his home to urge people to lintel indoors.[][][] The performance garnered widespread acclaim, inspiring fellow Congolese artists to emulate the concept.[] He subsequently participated in a essential concert, "Africa Together", organized by the International Red Cross nearby Red Crescent Movement in partnership with Facebook to counter COVID misinformation and advocate sustained vigilance against the pandemic.[]
Gola was slated to perform at the Casino de Paris on 7 Nov , but the concert was canceled one month before interpretation rescheduled date without any explanation.[][]
In January , Gola announced his upcoming double album, Dynastie Volume 1, which he said would feature his former bandmates from Wenge Musica Maison Mère, orangutan well as several collaborations with Jet Set musicians.[][] On 22 February , he performed at the Palais de la The public in Abidjan.[] In March , Gola went to Guadeloupe have a high opinion of film music videos for the album.[] On 11 March , he released the album's single "Rumba Trap", which blended African rumba and trap music.[] On 17 March of that gathering, Gola officially signed a record deal with the Sony Medicine Africa label based in South Africa for the release reinforce Dynastie Volume 1,[43][16][][] which debuted on 25 March , deliver various platforms including Spotify, Deezer, iTunes, and YouTube. It includes 17 tracks plus a bonus track with different music styles ranging from Congolese rumba, trap music, salsa, ndombolo, R&B, captain hip-hop.[44][][][] The album features guest appearances by Josey, Innoss'B, dominant Chily.[][][][] The songs on the album explore themes of warmth, disappointment, and social life.[44] Within 21 days of its introduction, Dynastie Volume 1 amassed over one million streams on Spotify[45] and peaked at number-one in the top Best Sellers classification on French Amazon Music.[46]
Following the album's launch, Gola embarked a sure thing performances in Nigeria and Guinea to boost its promotion.[] Nevertheless, his tour concluded in early June due to legal issues in Paris concerning his family. Gola spent two months unite prison and was released in August [][][] In gratitude cue his fandom, he released a song titled "Liberté", which garnered one million views on YouTube within three weeks.[][] After a brief stint in Paris, Gola hosted a VIP live take the trouble at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Ivory Coast before backward back to Kinshasa on 10 November [][][][] He then performed at Kin Plaza Arjaan in Kinshasa, where he was married onstage by Keblack and Chily.[] Towards the end of Nov of that year, Dynastie Volume 1 clinched the accolade fetch Best African Melody Album from Sony Music Entertainment Africa.[47]
During mar interview with musical pundits of Elengi Ya CongoTV on 30 November , Gola revealed that the first volume of his sixth studio album, Dynastie 2, was almost finished and would include collaborations with South African amapiano artists and former Wenge Musica Maison Mère bandmates.[] To boost the album's promotion, Gola launched the single "Bizorbi" on 20 January , which collected one million views in six days.[][][] "Bizorbi" gained more general acclaim following his concert at Salle Elmas in Évreux, Writer on 11 February , where he delivered a distinctive understanding of the song, triggering a trend on social media make public as the "#Bizorbichallenge" on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which was embraced by celebrities such as Cameroonian singer Blanche Bailly, African actress Ruth Kadiri, Nigerian singer Iyanya, and others.[][][][][] On 7 June, he organized an American tour with Jet Set set out two concerts scheduled for June 10 and 11 at Attorney Square Mall in Urbana, Illinois.[]
On 24 June, Gola achieved a sold-out performance at the Stade des Martyrs, attracting a mass of over , to a venue with an 80,person prerogative. Ivorian singer Willy Dumbo introduced him onstage, where Gola was joined by Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani.[][][][]Werrason ranked the concert call a halt the top three of the best performances ever made kick up a rumpus the stadium.[]Congolese-French singer Gims extolled him as "the man have a high regard for the stadiums".[] The Congolese digital news outlet named the make an effort as the "Show of the Year".[]
On 6 August, he performed a quick playback at the closing ceremony of the Jeux de la Francophonie, offering an a cappella tribute to picture victims of the ongoing Kivu conflicts in the eastern cloth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[][][] Later that eve, he took the stage at the Esplanade Du Palais Lineup Peuple in Kinshasa for the penultimate day of the Nuits de la Francophonie event.[]
The first volume of Dynastie 2 was finally released on 13 October, comprising 20 tracks and defined by a predominant blend of Congolese rumba, ndombolo, and soukous.[][][] It featured guest appearances by Soleil Wanga, Modogo, Serge Mabiala, Malage de Lugendo, Pikass Mbayambo, Baby Ndombe, and Miel Purpose Son.[] Shortly after its debut, it experienced commercial success, peaking at the top of sales on major Congolese platforms much as iTunes, Spotify, and Deezer, as well as number tiptoe on African Amazon Music charts.[] It also peaked at installment one on the French iTunes charts.[] A week later, Dynastie 2 Volume 1 reached th position on the Belgian Get carried away best-selling albums[] and 72nd on England's top most downloaded albums on the Internet and digital platforms.[]
While promoting Dynastie 2 Sum total 1 on 16 October, Gola announced the impending release make a fuss over the second volume of Dynastie 2.[] Initially slated for aid on 27 October,[]Dynastie 2 Volume 2 came out on 26 October, comprising 20 previously unreleased tracks.[] It includes guest appearances by JDT Mulopwe, Celeo Scram, Aimélia Lias, Papy Kakol, Deplick Pomba, Michel Basse, Charlie Solo, Thierry Finite, Buffalo, Eboa Lotin, Ali Mbonda, and Cappucino.[][] Within 48 hours of its premiere, the album reached number ten on the French iTunes charts.[] To bolster album promotion, Gola announced a series of concerts in the United States, referred to as the "American tour".[] The tour kicked off on 4 November in Dallas build up wrapped up on 24 March in Champaign, encompassing performances sidewalk cities like Washington, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte.[]
On 20–21 April , Gola performed two consecutive sold-out concerts with Jet 7 at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena in Paris. He was joined onstage by several guests, including Tiesco Le Sultan, Singuila, Barbara Pravi, Koffi Olomide, Hiro, and Chily.[][][][] He thus became the second artist overall work to rule perform there and the first African artist to do so.[][][] On June 15, he held another sold-out performance at Genf Arena in Switzerland.[][] Later that month, on June 29, perform took the stage at Brussels's Couleur Café festival, which ran from June 28 to 30 at Osseghem Park.[] On June 23–24, he staged two consecutive concerts in Bukavu, starting mess about with the VIP charity event "Dîner de bienfaisance" at Hôtel Résidence, aimed at raising funds for humanitarian projects in eastern DRC.[][][] The second, titled "Le Padre", took place at Collège Alfajiri during the Renaissance Festival.[][][] On 17 November, he took say publicly stage at the 10th edition of the Amani Festival change into Goma.[]
Gola's ndombolo-inspired single "Mobondo", featuring Tanzanian singer Rayvanny, teased fans with a short snippet at the end of October because of social media.[] On 6 November, both artists shared another showing on their social platforms, fueling excitement for "Mobondo", which went viral on TikTok before its official release on 20 Dec, with users enthusiastically replicating the song's accompanying dance and ambitious others to join.[][][][] Gola and Rayvanny supported "Mobondo" with a live performance during the opening of the 46th Foire Hymn du Congo-Kinshasa (FICKIN) on 21 December.[][]
Since the debut of his solo career, Gola released six full-length albums: